Southern California Edison Offers Customers Help during COVID-19 Crisis
By Paul Griffo
Lower electric bills are on the way because of an early climate dividend credit.
Southern California Edison customers experiencing financial difficulty because of the COVID-19 crisis can expect to receive a credit on their electric bills a few months early, according to a new California Public Utilities Commission decision.
SCE wants customers to know it’s here for them with programs and services that can help during this difficult period.
Because of the pandemic, the October climate dividend credit of about $37 per residential customer will be paid early and split evenly between bills starting as early as May 12-June 10 and June 23-July 23 as a result of the ruling. The credit will reduce electric bills by about $18.50 each month. This is in addition to the $37 credit residential customers are already receiving in April.
Here are some other ways SCE is helping customers during the crisis:
● The Energy Assistance Fund - To help customers struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic, SCE has increased the amount of bill relief provided by the Energy Assistance Fund. Income-qualified customers experiencing COVID-19 financial hardship due to quarantine, illness, caring for loved ones or business closures can apply for assistance to pay their electric bill.
● CARE and FERA Programs - Income-qualified customers may be able to take advantage of the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs. The CARE program provides income-qualified households a discount of about 30% on monthly electric bills. FERA provides a reduced monthly discount of 18% for income-qualified households of three or more.
● Suspension of service disconnections for nonpayment, waiving late fees - SCE has suspended service disconnections for nonpayment and is waiving late fees for residential and business customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. For more information about customer programs, visit: sce.com/billhelp.
● Rate Plan Comparison Tool - SCE offers several Time-of-Use rates that offer lower rates during daytime hours when people are now home. Visit sce.com/rateplantool to compare our rate plans.
● Budget Assistant - You can also sign up for alerts if your next projected bill is expected to exceed your spending goal using SCE’s free Budget Assistant tool. You can customize your alert options and receive alerts via email, phone or text. To sign up, visit: sce.com/budgetassistant.
During the COVID-19 crisis, SCE also will be postponing noncritical maintenance power outages while continuing with critical emergency outage work for public safety and wildfire mitigation.
SCE is working to ensure customers receive timely notifications for any planned work that is continuing and is also taking measures to shorten the impact of these critical planned outages where possible. Customers can call 800-611-1911 or visit sce.com/outage to report any unplanned repair outages.
Customers can also save energy by working smarter at home with these helpful energy-saving tips.
Scam Alert
SCE is warning its customers to be on the alert for scammers seeking to take advantage of them during the COVID-19 crisis. During the pandemic, con artists and impostors are targeting unsuspecting customers and the public to steal their money, personal information or both.
For more information on Edison International’s COVID-19 response, visit edison.com/covid19.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
